The weekly sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1887-05-19
HON. CHARLES M. COOKE.
HIS COLLEGIATE, MILITARY AND
POLITICAL CAREER.

A Self-made Man who left the School
Room to Plunge into the Field Of
Battle-A Rrief Sketch of his Life.
There are many useful men in North
Carolina who attained their manhood
during the late war between the States,
whose educations in the schools of
learning were interrupted, but who,
in the camp, and field, and storm of
battle were admirably trained and
fitted for public service by the knowl-
edge of men which they acquired in
the army. Among the foremost of
these may be ranked Charles M. Cooke
of the county Of Franklin.
He was born in 1874, in that county.
His father was Jones Cooke, a chris
tian gentleman of sterling worth
strong in character and intellect, and
himself a patriot captain in the war of
1912. His mother was Jane A.
Kingsbury, an educated, refined and
accomplished lady of great force of
character, firmness and purity; and
from such parents G. Nj. Cooke in
herited the traits which make a strong,
accomplished and useful character.
He was prepared tor college by M.
S. Davis, long the excellent principal
of the Louisburg Male Academy, and
in 1860 entered Wake Forest College
Before the close of his Sophomore year
the war came on, and. quitting school
in his eighteenth year, he volunteered
as private in the confederate army.
( He soon became q lieutenant in the
55th regiment, and at the close of the
war was adjutant of his regiment in
Cookies famous brigade. How faith
fully, bravely and well he discharged
his duties as q soldier, all who were
with him attest. In the last fights
around Petersburg he was severely
and dangerously wounded, and was in
a hospital in Richmond, unable to be
moved when the city was evacuated,
and became prisoner of war. After
the surrender, as soon as he had suf-
ficiently recovered from his wounds to
be able to travel, he returned to his
fathers home and took charge of the
, farm, himself leading in its labors,
, and became the hope and the stay OF
a family whose once strong head had
, become enfeebled by four score years.
, While laboring in the farm he did not
neglect his studies, but was an indus
. trious student also, devoting all his
| spare time to the study of the law.
He was licensed to practice in the
, county courts in January, 1867, and
, in the superior courts in January, 1868,
and entered at once upon an earnest
, and successful practice of his profess
sion. He is strong, vigorous, often
t eloquent speaker a close reasoner and
q a most successful advocate.
$ In 1868 he married Miss Bette
Person, a lady of great personal worth,
+ who has been of inestimable value to
t him, as help-meet indeed.
| In 1874 he made thorough and
7 successful canvass of the counties of
, Wilson, Nash and Franklin, and was
y elected to the Senate from the District
. composed Of those counties. Among
= the young men OF the Senate none were
more useful
e In 1877, upon the resignation of j.
! G. L. Harris, he was appointed solici-
f tor by Governor Vance and made an
o admirable prosecuting officer.
LII Lct o Ht was clcCltti ~ Tue iIOuSc
4 from Franklin, and:was one of the
r leaders Of that body He was chair.
v man Of the judiciary committee and a
+ member of the special committee for
3 the settlement Of the state debt, and
O the passage Of that wise measure
r which he supported with all his yea
u and ability, was greatly due to him
/ He was also al the extra session 6
member Of the special committee Oh
|, the sale OF the Western n. c. r. r.
which measure he also supported
He was again elected to the House
, in 1880, and was elected speaker O.
that BODY. lie was q slillfuI parlia
mentarian, and was an accomplished
.r dignifed, efficient and popular pre-
! siding officer, as all who witnessed th'
proceedings of the House while he pre-
- sided will bear witness.
:. In 1886 he was appointed by Gov
" Scales a member of the board OF direc
y tors of the penitentiary, which position
~ he now holds.
as Mr. Cook is not only eminent lawyer
ID politician and statesman, but he is al
a. active christian gentleman earnes
70 worker in his church, and a liberal supper
ter of every benevolent enterprise. He is
III member of the Baptist church, trustee O
De Wake Forest College, and President of tn
ID board of trustees he is also member of th
OF board of trustees of the University CT tn
t. State, and an active and valuable membe
E. OF that board. lie is gentleman Of grea
III personal popularity. Cordial and ;7enial il
his manners, amiable IA temper, senerou
te in disposition, pure and spotless in his pri
ID vate character, devoted to the principles Q
,e constitutional liberty, in full sympathy witt
it the people, a laborious student of men ant
It's books, brave, liberal and comprehensive i
he his views, wise and prudent IN counsel, boil
Al. L